ASSA ABLOY, a pioneer in electromechanical locking technology, has a storied history of innovation that began in 1932 with the patenting of the first effeff electric strike. Since 1978, Abloy has advanced this technology with high-security electric locks. Today, these electromechanical locks merge established engineering with digital connectivity, enhancing building management's safety and efficiency.
The intelligence embedded in modern electromechanical devices transforms building security. These devices enable reliable door-system communication, remote operation, and provide data insights. Facilities managers can now exercise new levels of control and convenience without needing to physically check each door.
Intelligent building security
Julian Riester of ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEIA states, “When ASSA ABLOY’s effeff brand patented their first electric strike in 1932, it set a new standard for intelligent building security. Electromechanical locking and opening were born.”
Electric strikes modernise existing locks, allowing remote unlocking and integration with digital systems. Installed within the door frame, they offer flexibility and are in high demand for commercial and multi-residential buildings.
Effeff electric strikes are designed for universal fit and long-term performance, boasting over 10,000 strike and latch-plate combinations and custom solutions for specific settings. They are known for high security standards, durability, and low power consumption, ensuring energy efficiency. The compact design facilitates easy installation and broad applicability.
Modern electromechanical locking
ASSA ABLOY's ABLOY brand has embedded electric intelligence deep within the door leaf
Beginning in the late 1970s, ASSA ABLOY's ABLOY brand has embedded electric intelligence deep within the door leaf, enhancing security to meet stringent regulatory demands. ABLOY electric locks are globally recognized for their adherence to top security and compliance standards. They integrate seamlessly with control systems, boosting functionality and real-time security management across various environments.
Mika Savolainen of ASSA ABLOY emphasises the reliability of their electric locks, stating that they provide peace of mind through robust design and global expertise. The locks are built for long service life and deliver an aesthetically pleasing solution with energy efficiency in mind. They offer both concealed installation and adaptability for diverse architectural requirements.
ABLOY's extensive range of electric-locks fits almost any door, fulfilling various security needs with retrofit and design flexibility. These products are part of ASSA ABLOY's broad portfolio, providing intelligent, secure, and integrated access solutions suitable for sectors such as healthcare, education, and critical infrastructure.
For more than 90 years, ASSA ABLOY has pioneered electromechanical locking technology — continuously innovating since the first effeff electric strike was patented in 1932 and Abloy began developing high-security electric locks in 1978. Today, electromechanical locks represent the intelligent evolution of mechanical security, combining trusted engineering with seamless digital connectivity for safer, smarter, more efficient building management.
Modern electromechanical devices transform the way buildings are secured. Their embedded intelligence enables reliable communication between door and system, remote operation, and data insights. They give facilities managers new levels of control and convenience without the need to be physically present at every opening.
Intelligent building security
“When ASSA ABLOY´s effeff brand patented their first electric strike in 1932, it set a new standard for intelligent building security,” explains Julian Riester, Director & Head of Product Unit eStrikes & egress at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEIA. “Electromechanical locking and opening were born. Doors became electrically controlled and remote operation was a new reality. We have continued innovating and setting new standards for this technology ever since.”
Electric strikes are compact, reliable electromechanical devices that upgrade existing mechanical locks by enabling controlled, remote unlocking and seamless integration with intercoms, access control, and digital systems. They are mounted discreetly within the door frame for smarter, more flexible entry. For installers, OEMs, and resellers, they offer easy integration, broad application versatility, certifications, and high customer demand, making them simple to specify, sell, and deploy across commercial and multi‑residential buildings.
Low power consumption
Effeff electric strikes are engineered for universal fit and long‑term reliability, offering more than 10,000 strike and latch‑plate combinations as well as customised solutions for specialised environments.
They deliver trusted security through rigorous DIN‑certified and TÜV‑audited production, high holding forces, extensive cycle testing, and durable components designed for harsh or high‑frequency conditions. A compact, installer‑friendly design enables fast, clean, cable‑free integration into almost any door, supported by adjustable alignment, sustainable EPD‑verified construction, and low power consumption for energy efficiency.
Modern electromechanical locking
E‑strike technology laid the foundation for modern electromechanical locking, which ASSA ABLOY’s ABLOY brand advanced in the late 1970s by embedding electricity and intelligence deep within the door leaf to enhance mechanical security and meet demanding regulatory and architectural requirements.
ABLOY Electric Locks are trusted worldwide for meeting the highest security and compliance standards. They deliver a premium door experience, even in demanding, high‑traffic, or high‑security environments. They integrate seamlessly with access control, alarm, and building‑management systems to make every door intelligent and controllable, enhancing functionality, efficiency, and real‑time awareness across complex security ecosystems.
Aesthetically pleasing solution
“The long service life of our electric locks gives building managers the peace of mind that comes with products designed for maximum reliability,” adds Mika Savolainen, Director & Head of Product Line Management ELMECH PU at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEIA. “These locks are backed by ASSA ABLOY’s global network of experience and expertise. They have proven performance over decades in a whole range of access control environments.”
Designed with concealed installation, architectural flexibility, sustainability, and low energy consumption in mind, they provide a durable, future‑proof, and aesthetically pleasing solution in both new-builds and retrofits, including for emergency escape doors meeting EN179 and EN1125 standards.
Wider portfolio of digital access solutions
ABLOY offers one of the widest electric‑lock ranges on the market. Their premium single‑ and multi-point solutions fit virtually any door, sector, or security requirement while ensuring seamless retrofit and design flexibility.
ASSA ABLOY’s range of eStrikes and electric locks are part of a wider portfolio of digital access solutions, bringing intelligent, secure, and seamlessly integrated electromechanical locking to virtually any building type, including multi‑residential, healthcare, offices, manufacturing, education, public institutions, and critical infrastructure.
